documents the military service of women from Newcastle and the Hunter region of NSW, 1914-1919

Sister Minnie Victoria MEARS ARRC, 1887 – 1957

Sister Minnie Mears ARRCPhoto: Courtesy Newcastle Museum

Connection to the Hunter Valley – Sister Minnie Mears ARRC was born at West Maitland and attended West Maitland Public School. She trained at Maitland Hospital and was night sister there before enlisting. Her sister, Sarah Mears, also served with the AANS. Minnie was invited to an official welcome home at Oakhampton in 1919. The five nurses who attended were each presented with a cheque for £30. Returned nurses were treated with respect and great appreciation by returned men and their communities at the time but were largely forgotten by succeeding generations.

Sister Minnie Mears ARRC during a quieter moment of her war service.Photo: Courtesy Newcastle Museum

Training and experience – Minnie graduated Maitland Hospital and qualified for membership of the Australian Trained Nurses’ Association in 1913.

Service – Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS)

Service location – Egypt, Salonika and UK

Medals and awards – 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and Associate Royal Red Cross (gazetted 1 January 1919). The Associate Royal Red Cross recognised Minnie’s service at No 60 British General Hospital in Salonika in 1917 and 1918.

Click here to read a letter from Sister Mears thanking a Maitland lady for a parcel of “comforts”.

References:

National Archives of Australia B2455 MEARS MINNIE VICTORIA

Nominal Roll of the First AIF Australian War Memorial (AWM) 133, 36-052

Embarkation Roll of the First AIF AWM 1 Australian General Hospital – 1 to 6 and Special Reinforcements (February 1915 – April 1916)

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2 thoughts on “Sister Minnie Victoria MEARS ARRC, 1887 – 1957”

Hi Christine. I’m researching Minnie Mears and was wondering of you had any further information or images of her? I’m quite keen to connect with any of her descendants as I’ve recently determined that she and her husband were the initial owners of our current home. I’d be very grateful for any additional information you may have and would like to purchase your book. Is it available still? Thanks